Whirlpool Refrigerator Defrost Heater Replacement

Written By: nicO
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Whirlpool Refrigerator Defrost Heater Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

12

Time Required

15 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the defrost heater in your Whirlpool Refrigerator.

The defrost heater melts frost off the evaporator fins. If your freezer is perpetually frosty, then the defrost heater might be broken.

This guide will work for most Whirlpool refrigerators. This guide is written with a model WRS315SDHW refrigerator. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.

Note: Some photos show the doors removed for clarity purposes. Removing them is not required and will not change the procedure.

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    • Before you begin your repair, perform the following:

    • Turn off your main water supply

    • Unplug your device

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    • Depending on your repair, open one or both doors.

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    • Remove the drawers and shelves from the freezer section.

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    • Remove the screw(s) securing the evaporator cover.

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    • Lift the bottom of the evaporator cover up and over its lip in the chassis.

    • Pull the cover toward yourself to release its top clips.

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    • Continue pulling the evaporator cover towards yourself to unclip its metal prongs from the chassis.

    • Remove the evaporator cover.

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    • Disconnect the connector(s) attached to the defrost heater.

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    • Pull the defrost heater cable out from behind the evaporator.

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    • Remove the screw(s) securing the defrost heater bracket.

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    • Pull the defrost heater bracket up to release it from its slot in the chassis.

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    • Slide the defrost heater from under the evaporator.

    • You may need to pull one end at a time until it's completely removed.

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    • You're now left with the defrost heater.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

Author

nicO

Member since: 14/04/15

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